Pneumatic power device.



A. YOUNG.

PNEUMATIC POWER DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULYIS. 1913.

Patented Dec. 14, 1915.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST YOUNG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

- PNEUMATIC POWER DEVICE.

Application filed July 16, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, AUGUST YOUNG, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York, in the borough of Manhattan, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Power Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pneumatic power devices for self-playing pianos.

The object of this invention is to provide a power device very responsive to the perforations of the music sheet when passing over the channels of the tracker.

For this purpose my invention consists of an improved power device for self-playing pianos, which has the main pneumatics in direct-connection and in registration with openings in the suction-chamber board with a valve intermittently thereof, as will be fully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a vertical longitudinal section of a plurality of my improved power devices one superposed on the other, Fig. 2 is a rear end elevation of a group of power devices, Fig. 3 is an end view of the structure shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a modified form.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the various fig ures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, a plurality of power devices 10 are superposed one above the other, preferably arranged in staggered relationship,.as shown in Fig. 2. The bellows 11 of the power devices hate each an extension 12 acting against a sleeve 13 adjustable if desired on the lifter-rod 14 so arranged that on the collapsing of the bellows and the consequent upward movement of the extension 12, a piano action unit 15 is operated by the upper end of each lifter-rod 14 engaging the underside of the front end of a corresponding wippen 16 of the piano action. Thus, when a bellows collapses, a swinging motion is given to the corresponding wippen to actuate the corresponding hammer for sounding the desired string, as is well known.

The improvement consists in arranging the main pneumatics close to the suctionchamber so as to get a direct connection of short length, and thereby a quick response,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1915.

Serial No. 779,288.

and arranging a valve connection therebetween. The suction-chamber 20 extends along the length of the player. It has a plurality of vents 23, each in communicat1on with a chamber 21, which has a controlllng pneumatic 22 arranged in the shelf 24. The controlling pneumatic chamber 21 is also in communication with the tracker channel 26 which in turn is connected with the tracker (not shown), communicating wlth the tracker opening and with the atmosphere when an opening is free. The controlling pneumatic 22 is made of a diaphragm to which is connected the stem 29, having an enlarged portion 30 suitably secured to the diaphragm. The valve-stem 29 is of smaller diameter or cross-section than the diameter or cross-section of the guide 29, to enable the diaphragm-chamber to be vented. The stem 29 has a second enlarged portion 33, having a layer of felt 31 at its lower side, and which is acted upon by the end of the rod 35 having a screw-head 37. A valve 36 engages screwthreads of the rod 35, whereby it may be adjusted. It is ar ranged to abut against the seat 38. Another valve 45 is also arranged on the rod 35 and may be adjustable thereon. By the adjustment of the rod 35, the position of the diaphragm 22 may be changed. The valve 45 is adapted to be seated on the wall of the main pneumatic and acts to open or close the channel 41 connecting the suction-chamber 20 with the bellows of the main pneumatic 10. The fixed part 39 of the pneumatic 11 has one end of the channel 41 in communication with the atmosphere when the valve 36 is unseated and thereby causes the bellows to be in the position shown in Fig. 1, namely, in its extended position. The communication between the bellows and the channel 41 is effected by the longitudinal channel 42, extending along the length of the fixed part 39.

' When the tracker-opening is closed, the suction-chamber 20 serves to suck in the controlling diaphragm 22 by the suction exerted on the underside thereof through the vent 23. Vhen, however, the tracker-opening is free to the atmosphere, the air entering the chamber 21 will neutralize the suction action in the chamber 21, and the diaphragm will return to its initial position by the upward movement of the rod 35, due to the suction, exerted on the upper part of the valve 45. Simultaneously, the valve 36 ascends and seats itself on the wall 38, thereby closing the free end of the opening 11. This causes a communication between the suction-chamber 20 and the channels 41 and 12. The main pneumatic then collapses and actuates the lifter-rod. As soon as the tracker-opening is again closed, the suction from chamber 20, by means of the vent 23, again causes a suction in the chamber 21, and causes the diaphragm to descend until the valve as closes the upper end of the opening 411, and the valve 36 opens the lower end of the same. Thereby, the air enters the bellows and these again expand and lower the lifter-rods 1 1.

The important feature in the structure described, is the arrangement of the fixed part of the pneumatic closely adjacent to the suction chamber board, so to say, back to back, and in providing a direct and immediate and short communication between the suction-chamber and pneumatic. The arrangement of the valves in the suction chamber and pneumatics enables communication between these parts to be rapidly controlled.

To readily remove the pneumatic, it is provided with an angularly-shaped portion 50 secured to the fixed part 39 engaging the recess 51 of the suction chamber casing, whereby it may be readily inserted and placed into position. The rear portion of the pneumatic is secured to the upper board at by means of a screw 55.

To give adjustability to the lifter-rods, the upper portion thereof is provided with a collar 60 abutting against the adjustable screw 61 in the wippen, which screw engages screwthreads in the wippen 16. The lifter-rods pass through the board 62. By this adjustment, the rod may be variably adjusted.

In Fig. 4, a modified form is shown, in which the suction-channel 20 again communicates with one end of the opening 41 and in turn with the longitudinal channel 4L2 which is arranged in the fixed part of the main pneumatic board and communicates directly with the bellows. The diaphragm 22 has secured thereto the stem 29 and valve 30. To the stem 29, a valve 33 is secured. The valve 33 is guided by pins 93. The

rod 29 is tubularin form, and is provided with a vent 92, which establishes communication between the suction-chamber 20 and the controlling pneumatic chamber 21. The main pneumatic is also provided with an angular member 50 engaging the recess 51, whereby the pneumatic may be quickly joined to the remaining parts of the valve actions.

By the vent 92, suction is created in the chamber 21, which causes the diaphragm to move to the downward position, as shown in Fig. 4. When the tracker-opening establishes communication with the atmosphere, the suction action is destroyed and the valves 33 and'30 move upwardly. Thereby the valve 30 closes one end of the opening 11 and valve 33 opens the other end and creates suction action communication between the suction chamber 20 and the bellows of the main pneumatic. The operation is the same as the structure shown in Fig. 1 and in both structures the suctionchamber board is provided with a plurality of openings, and with a plurality of main pneumatics, each having an opening in registration with and direct communication with the several openings of the suctionchamber board, and each having valves for bringing about the communication of the suction chamber with the main pneumatics. These structures clearly show the fixed part of the main pneumatics directly against the suction-chamber board. Being so close, and in direct connection, the main pneumatic is very responsive, and at the same time a saving of space and material results, from a structure simple in construction.

The improvement is especially advantageous in having the longitudinal channel in direct communication with the bellows.

I have shown one embodiment of my invention, but it is clear that changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a pneumatic valve-action, a suctionchamber, diaphragnrchamber at one side of the suction-chamber, a diaphragm on the diaphragnrchamber with one side exposed to the atmosphere, a vent connecting the suction-chamber with the diaphragin-chamber,

a valve stem operating in said vent, a main pneumatic having its fixed part against the with a channel perpendicular to the same.

and communicating directly with the suction-cl1amber,'and another channel in communication with the first channel and arranged perpendicular thereto, and longitudinally of said fixed part, and entirely within the fixed part of the main pneumatic.

2. In a pneumatic power device, a main pneumatic having its fixed part provided with an inclined surface from one end toward the other end, terminating in a shoulder raised from the fixed part and a straight horizontal portion for the valve at one side of the shoulder and a movable part hinged to the shoulder, toenable airtight fitting of rubber cloth to the movable and fixed parts.

3. In a pneumatic power device, a suctionchamber, a diaphragm-chamber, a valve, a valve-stem for said valve, a guide for the valve-stem, forming a vent between said suction-chamber and said diaphragmchamber, the valve-stem being only slightly smaller than the diameter of the vent to enable the vent to operate, and so as to guide the valve-stem, and a main pneumatic having its fixed part directly against the suctionchamber, and connected with the suctionchamber, and controlled by the operation of the valve.

4. In a pneumatic power device, a suctionchamber board having a recess, a main pneumatic, an angular member of right-angled shape, on the main pneumatic with the legs forming the rectangular portion engaging the recess, and a screw connection at the other end of the main pneumatic for binding this end to the suction-chamber board.

In a pneumatic power device, a suctionchamber, a diaphragm-chamber at one side of the suction-chamber having a vent communicating with the suction-chamber, a diaphragm in the diaphragm-chamber, a ventvalve operating through said vent, a main pneumatic having its fixed part against the suction-chamber, and a valve for opening and closing the communication between the suction-chamber and the main pneumatic and operated by the diaphragm.

(5. In a. pneumatic power device, a suctionchamber, a diaphragm-chamber at one side of the suction-chamber, having a vent communicating with the suction-chamber, with one side exposed to the atmosphere, a stem operat ing in said vent, a main pneumatic having its fixed part against the suction-chamber and a valve for opening and closing the communication between the suction-chamber and the main pneumatic, and operated by the diaphragm.

7. In a pneumatic power device, a suctionchamber, a diaphragm-chamber at one side of the suction-chamber, a diaphragm in the diaphragm-chamber, a vent connecting the suction-chamber with the diaphragm-chamber, a valve-stem passing through said vent, a main pneumatic having its fixed part against the suction-chamber, said main pneumatic having its fixed part provided with a channel perpendicular to the same, and communicating directly with the suction-chamber and having another channel in communication with the first channel, and arranged perpendicularly thereto and longitudinally of said fixed part and entirely within the fixed part of the main pneumatic, and a valve operated by said valve-stem for opening and closing the communication between the suction-chamber and the main pneumatic and operated by the diaphragm.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUST YOUNG.

Witnesses JOHN MUn'rAcrI, F. Hoes.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

